2 cup dates, finely chopped (short cut: buy the ones already chopped)
2 cups hot water
2 tsp. baking soda
In medium sized bowl, dissolve soda in hot water, add chopped dates, and set aside.
2 cups sugar
1 cup canola oil
Thoroughly mix with electric mixer on low to medium speed.
Add:
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. salt
Beat well.
To the egg mixture add the chopped dates in their liquid, alternating with 4 cups of flour (we use unbleached), thoroughly mixing the batter after each addition.
Add 2 cups chocolate chips (we like Ghiradelli 60% cacao bittersweet chocolate) and mix just until they are blended into the batter.
Fill paper-lined muffin tins 1/2 to 2/3 full and bake at 375 for approximately 17 minutes. Muffins are done when they are browned on top and yield slightly to pressure. These muffins keep well either in or out of the refrigerator and also freeze well. Recipe can be halved.